Episode 801: Sponges: Oldest Creatures in the Sea?
Experts
Meet the experts featured in this episode.



























Special Thanks:
The International SeaKeepers Society
355 Alhambra Circle, Suite 1100
Coral Gables, FL 33134
(305) 448-7089
Fleet Miami
info@fleetmiami.com
(305) 615-3190
Albany Bahamas
(242) 676-6010
Holiday Isle Oceanfront Resort
860 A1A Beach Boulevard
St. Augustine, FL 32080
(904) 471-2555 ext.101
Image Credits
Changing Seas would like to thank the following individuals and institutions who kindly allowed their footage, images and other media to be used in this production:
Nickelodeon’s “Spongebob Squarepants” used with permission by Nickelodeon. ©2016 Viacom Media Networks. All Rights Reserved. Nickelodeon, all related titles, characters and logos are trademarks owned by Viacom Media Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc.
Angela Rosenberg
Andrew Elliott
Eric Loker
University of New Mexico
Fernanda Azevedo
Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Henry M. Reiswig
University of Victoria
Joseph Ryan
University of Florida Whitney Lab
Kirt L. Onthank
National Cancer Institute
Robert Stone
NOAA Fisheries, Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Special Thanks:
Amanda Costaregni
Captain Aaron Erzinger
Captain Brandon Freeland
Todd C. Holmes
Cole Easson
Christian Vaterlaus
Chuck Messing
Christine Schonberg
Cristina Diaz
Derek Roderick
Eleni Voultsiadou
Fleet Captain Glen Allen
Franz Brümmer
Ingrid & Leonard Stuart
Jasper de Goeij
Jean Vacelet
Jim Cantonis
John Stevely
Kathy Kennedy
Laura Schejter
Leon Colebrooke
Libby Evans-Illidge
Manuel Maldonado
Marta Chiodin
Martina Milanese
Marzia Sidri
Mert Gokalp
Michelle Klautau
Nevelin Dean “Uncle Jakey”
Renata Manconi
Rob van Soest
Shirley Pomponi
Sofie Remijsen
Karen Richason
Stephen Stricker
Tatjana Bakran-Petricioli
Thierry Perez
Vasilis Kazakidis
Web Extras
Bahamian Reef Sharks
While filming an episode on sponges off New Providence Island, Bahamas, the Changing Seas crew suddenly found itself surrounded by a group of curious, yet calm Caribbean Reef Sharks plus a few nurse sharks. It was an incredible experience to be in the presence of so many of these beautiful fish! While divers occasionally encounter reef sharks on coral reefs, it is rare to see so many at once.
Sponges
In the tropical waters off the coasts of Florida, the Bahamas and Caribbean, shallow water sponges are common sights on reefs. These filter feeders, which are animals, come in all shapes, sizes and colors. Scientists are studying the important ecological roles sponges play in the ecosystem.
Life in Red Bays, Andros Island, Bahamas
While shooting an episode on sponges, the Changing Seas team was given a tour of North Andros by local sponger Fritzgerald Taylor. Sponging is a tradition on the island, with three different commercially viable species collected on the Great Bahama Bank. The sponges are cleaned and dried before being sold to a wholesaler that ships them to markets all over the world.
Wrecks near New Providence Island, Bahamas
While filming an episode on sponges off New Providence Island, Bahamas, the Changing Seas crew and scientific research team happened upon two shipwrecks that were close to each other. These wrecks made for a great dive site, with some sponges encrusting the exterior of the ships. Does anyone know the names of these wrecks?
Funding for this episode of Changing Seas was provided by:



